The ability to astral project is something which every person already possesses; we are in fact born being able to do this. So why are there those who can astral project at will and those who have much less success with the technique? The answer is simple ? practice. The practice of astral projection has a very long history, just like meditation and yoga. There are many different names by which astral projection is known and many ways that you can astral project.

Lucid dreaming is one of the ways that you may astral project. You already know about lucid dreaming; this is the ability to become conscious of your dreams while you are dreaming and start controlling the course of your dream. You can start lucid dreaming by just telling yourself 'I am dreaming' while you are in the midst of a dream.

Once you have done this, you will begin to be able to take control of your dream. However, until this technique is mastered (which can take a while), this can be too unreliable of a way to astral project.

You have astral projected before, perhaps many times. You may not have been aware that this is what you were doing, but one example is the dreams which you may wake up from remembering each and every detail. These were actually experiences of astral projection.

Being able to astral project all begins with knowing that this is something that you have the ability to do. Astral projecting is an inborn ability in all of us. You need to eliminate doubt from your mind; this can be keeping you from being able to astral project when you want.

Meditation and other relaxation techniques can help you start getting ready to astral project. Meditation is probably the best way to begin; look for a meditation technique which allows you to achieve the total relaxation needed to astral project.

One good way to start your meditation (and astral projecting) is to sit in a comfortable chair in a quiet room where you will not be interrupted or distracted. You need to clear all thoughts from your mind and focus on your breathing. Breathe slowly and deeply. Feel your tension and worry leaving your body with each exhalation. Before long, you?ll be nearing the deeply relaxed state necessary to astral project.

As you become closer and closer to the state where you can astral project, you?ll feel your breathing become slower and deeper still. Concentrate completely on relaxing your body more and more.

Start with your toes and relax your body bit y bit, working your way up to your head. You can do this by either tensing and then releasing each part of your body as you go along. Alternately, visualize all of the stress and tension leaving from each part of your body as you do your deep breathing.

With each exhalation, you should feel the tension leaving your body. Once your body is completely and totally relaxed you will be ready to move onto the next stage necessary for you to successfully astral project.

By now, you?ll be so relaxed that you might be ready to doze off. However, you must not do this. Stay focused by repeating a phrase to yourself. You can repeat anything you want as your mantra. You could even use 'Dubuque, Iowa'. All that matters is that it works for you.

This works because the mind will wander when given nothing else to do and your focus and relaxation will be ruined. If you lose focus, you?ll have to start all over again. Keep repeating your phrase to stay on track as you prepare to astral project.

Repeating this phrase can help you to attain the altered state of consciousness which you need to astral project. Another way to reach this state is to use the 'body of light' technique, which involves visualizing yourself transforming into a body of light.

As you start to astral project, there are three signs which you can watch for to know that you are doing so successfully. The first is a sensation of motion, even though your physical body is perfectly still. The second is 'seeing' color and light, even though your eyes will be closed. Last, you?ll hear voices. These voices will either be urging you to continue or to stop ? this is a sure fire sign that you are on your way to astral projecting.